"Very unfavourable the present aspect of public Affairs." New Year's Eve, James Woodeforde, country parson, 1786 & 1796
December 31st, 1786
We breakfasted, dined &c. &c. again at home. I read Prayers and Preached this Morn’ at Weston C[hurch]. Neither Mr. or Mrs. Custance at Church this Morn’. They sent us a wild Duck this Morning. This being the Last Day of the Year we sat up this Night till after 12 o’clock — then drank Health and Happy New Year to all our Somersett Friends &c. and then went for Bedfordshire alias to bed.
December 31st , 1796
We breakfasted, dined &c. again at home. Very Mild but dark and damp. Dinner today, a boiled Rabbit & Onion Sauce, Peas-Soup and a breast of Mutton roasted &c. To John Shorten, Miller’s Man, by Jn/o Lillistone 1.0. Mrs. Bidewell brought our Newspapers today and likewise a Letter for Miss Woodeforde from her Brother Saml., now at Sr. Thos. Champneys at his seat at Orcherly near Frome in Somersett giving her some Description of a late Masquerade Ball, given at the house, upwards of one Hundred and fifty genteel People at it. It was said in the Papers, that it was of the first Degree of Taste. Saml. was at it, being there to paint some Portraits. The Treaty on Peace, between England and France, which has been some time transacting, broke off very suddenly by the French & our Negociator, Ld. Malmesbury ordered to leave Paris in 48 hours—bad News indeed. The French, in short, are afraid of making Peace, for fear of the Consequences which might arise from their dismembering their great Armies. Tho’ very unfavourable the present aspect of public Affairs throughout Europe, at the Conclusion of the Year 1796—May God so direct the minds of Men before the Conclusion of the ensuing Years, that a general Peace and every blessing attending it, may be felt in every Nation of Europe and over the whole World and whenever such blessings arrive, May we all with one Heart & one Mind give our Most hearty thanks to that God for the same, and not unmindful of him Now or for ever.
From The Diary of a Country Parson: 1758-1802, by James Woodeforde (US link)
